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SpokEasy

Training

Straighten Up!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Straighten Up! 📏 “Straighten up!” is what I want to tell my left elbow. It still doesn’t extend quite fully; and the therapist says, regaining those last few degrees of extension can take a lot of time.  Even if my elbow won’t straighten up, I can do a lot more than I could a month ago. I’m back on the bike; and I can chop food without my scar aching. It’s possible to lift and carry more. I’m surprised that the return of cooler weather isn’t making the surgical site hurt. Maybe it has to go down to freezing for that effect; but I’d rather not find out. I skipped riding today; and I want to get in some miles over the next few days. Get in Some Miles 🚴‍♀️ If I get in some miles, maybe I’ll come up with some interesting stories! Even if I don’t, I’ll get some much-needed exercise. I’m gradually extending my distance; but I’m not pushing it. In fact, I probably shouldn’t try to build up too fast; especially as I’m rehabbing from an injury/surgery. Some folks seem able to manage such physical stress; but my body apparently doesn’t work that way. But as long as I get in some miles, I’m making a little progress. That’s what matters. This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Saturday on Wednesday

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Saturday on Wednesday 📅 I’m having Saturday on Wednesday: I rode to the salvage store this morning. That activity usually takes place on Saturdays; but the forecast for Thursday night through Saturday night doesn’t look so good for riding. Today I found Probars, for the first time in months; and I discovered a new protein bar to try: GoMacro. I’m always pleased to find a new potential ride food! But doing Saturday on Wednesday has rather upset my sense of time. I keep trying to think that it’s Saturday! And my legs are saying, Listen up! Listen Up! 👂🏻 This afternoon my legs seemed to say, Listen up! We want to ride some more! Listening to to your body doesn’t have to mean only paying attention to signs of possible overuse. Sometimes, as now, my body seems to be telling me that it’s ready for more activity. So I went to the park to ride some laps. Towards the end of Lap 2, I noticed that my bike’s right-hand brake lever didn’t seem right. It didn’t always release itself after use; and that’s a Listen Up. Did the brake lever need a bit of lube? Was something wrong with the brake itself? I’m a bicycle rider; not a bicycle mechanic ; so I went home; changed out of my cycling shorts; and rolled the bike over to the shop. I had to leave it there; so it’s a good thing I have my membership at the recreation center. That means I won’t have to miss pedaling tomorrow. This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Testing the Waters

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Testing the Waters? ♨️ I’m testing the waters, you could say. My rides are still very short; but today I made the expedition to Walmart. It’s the next step in getting back to real riding! I had received a gift certificate to the store as a Christmas present; and Sunday morning was a good time for the ride, as there wasn’t much road traffic. The weather was a bit chilly; but at least the wind wasn’t very strong. The sky was overcast; and that actually is a good thing this time of year! At this season, the sun stays rather low in the sky all day; and on clear days, I have constant trouble with Old Sol shining right into my eyes. I’m also testing the waters when it comes to off-bike exercises. I had to avoid core work while my ribs healed; and now I need to keep doing the core exercises regularly. But after having to skip them for about two months, it’s easy to forget about them! Easy to Forget 😒 It’s easy to forget lots of things. Like social media. While recuperating from my accident, I took to endless watching of YouTubes; and it’s a habit that’s rather hard to break. I can get so absorbed in viewing that I lose track of time; and, to complicate matters, I keep finding more videos that pique my interest. It’s easy to forget blogging, because it’s been harder to come up with blog topics. Sometimes I’ll watch YouTube after YouTube, hoping one of them will provide a spark of inspiration! It looks like it will be very foggy again tomorrow morning; so maybe I won’t ride early. But I do want to ride; and maybe the next day I’ll skip it. Physical therapy is still ongoing! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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My Own Power

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

My Own Power ⚡️ Today I got to the salvage store under my own power! It’s great to be riding again. This was another very foggy morning; and unfortunately I’ve been having trouble getting my tail light charged up. In dense fog, I need a tail light as well as a headlight. And I’m so glad I have anti-fog wipes for my glasses! Even after using one on my glasses and rearview mirror, visibility was a bit of a problem. The forecast is foggy again; but I plan to ride, anyway. Now that I can get around under my own power, I want to work at rebuilding my fitness — both on and off the bike. Rebuilding My Fitness 💪 Rebuilding my fitness won’t be any quick-and-easy fix, though. It won’t be easy getting myself back into the off-bike fitness routine after more than three months away from it. I’ve started by doing a few exercises; and I’ll work up to 15 or so reps. No push-ups yet; I’m not sure my left elbow can take it. Today my legs felt a little stiff while riding; and I don’t dare try to ride 20 miles yet. Today I put in almost 11 miles; and in a day or two, I’ll push for 12 miles or so. Soon I’ll have to bundle up to ride. Monday night it’s supposed to fall to 36 degrees; and as far as I’m concerned, that’s cold! The wind will be strong; and that only makes it feel colder! Rebuilding my fitness in the teeth of a cold and powerful headwind isn’t my idea of fun. This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Gearing Up

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

Gearing Up ⛭  Now it’s really time to be gearing up for Christmas; and it’s an especially good time for chocolate! I admit, though, that the weather doesn’t feel at all seasonal. I hope Rudolph is around; Santa will need him tonight! Yesterday I skipped riding, because I had oral surgery. Today I rode over to the park and did four laps. I really need the exercise. I want to ride tomorrow; but I’ll have to be prepared for a lot of kids-on-new-bikes traffic. It can be quite busy in that respect at 6:00 am on Christmas. I’m gearing up to ride more; but I’m afraid RAGBRAI may be out of reach this time. I’m dreadfully out of shape! Out of Shape 😒 I’m out of shape; and, like Queen Victoria, I’m not amused. I’m happy that I can ride again; but do I ever feel the lack of riding over the last few months! It’s not just my legs that have gone flabby; my core has lost a lot of conditioning, too. I can manage a crank-plank position on my right arm; but my left arm isn’t ready for it yet. But I can do curls; bridge; and leg raiser exercises. I also need to get back to doing flexibility exercises. I’ve gotten stiff; that’s what being out of shape does to you! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Tightened Up

BACK ISSUES, Outdoors, Training /

Tightened Up 😒 Am I ever tightened up! Last night I began doing flexibility exercises again. It was easy to see that I’ve tightened up a good deal. I don’t use any equipment for these exercises; I prefer not to get any more stuff.  Bodyweight training had better wait a while; although I did try a few right-sided crank planks. I don’t dare try them left-sided yet. I’m still in physical therapy; and now my left arm can get almost straight. It needs strengthening, though; and we’re starting to do some work on that. I’m glad I don’t have to go anyplace Monday morning, though. There’s a big chill coming Sunday night. Big Chill Coming! 🥶 I call it a big chill coming when the forecast predicts a low temperature barely above freezing; and wind gusts will be as high as 30 mph. That means a chill factor well below freezing! Going for a bicycle ride in such conditions is a real drag; especially when there’s a headwind on the way home.  But it probably won’t snow; the skies will be mostly clear.  People who must drive will be glad; after last January’s snowfall, the streets had slippery, packed-hard snow-ice all over them for several days. Cold weather means tightened-up muscles; and I, for one, don’t like that. It’s the season for cold weather; but when the mercury dips to the freezing point, it’s getting oo cold for me! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Like Yet Unlike

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Like Yet Unlike 😕 Using an indoor bike is like, yet  unlike, pedaling a real bicycle. My posture is totally different; and my feet are farther apart than on a real bike. I try not to lean back into the recumbent seat; but that’s rather tricky. In addition, my feet are much farther forward than on a regular bicycle. But at least I can pedal! So it’s like, yet unlike, real riding. Having to walk a mile to reach those “rides”, however, is somewhat tedious. I’m tempted to take tomorrow off; but the recreation center will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. Thus I’d better get in my pedaling when I can. I’m dreaming of the feast, too. I have some cooked ground turkey in the freezer; and I’ll move it to the fridge Wednesday morning to thaw. I have a can of whole-berry cranberry sauce; and some ice cream, too. Dreaming of the Feast 🍗 Though I’m dreaming of the feast, I’m glad it won’t mean wearing myself out cooking. I feel ready to try some cooking; but I’m not sure how much my elbow will tolerate. I’ll start by using some stuff from the freezer to make a “garbage soup“; and see how it goes. I shouldn’t have to chop much, as I have pre-chopped onion in the freezer. That will be a big help. Dreaming of the feast, I admit, makes me glad I still have paper plates on hand. I’m  drifting away from paper plates and bowls, though — washing dishes is getting easier. Paper plates and bowls are really quite wasteful; and I typically use them only when I can’t wash real dishes. Or when the water is off, as after a hurricane! Oh, and another way riding an indoor bike is like, yet unlike, riding outdoors — although I’m pedaling, I’m not creating any breeze. So I wear my Arctic Air. This morning I stopped my workout early, when the fan kept shutting off; and I started getting too hot. I guess it was out of charge. This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Bent?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Bent? ↪️ I’m not bent out of shape, am I? At the recreation center, I’m using a recumbent style exercise bike. There are only two upright exercise bikes; and I saw no instructions as to how to adjust them. One had recently been used by someone whose legs are far longer than mine. The other one’s saddle was barely low enough; and whoever had last used the bike left the pedals on high tension.  Six minutes were enough; it’s  possible to develop knee problems if you pedal too much in too hard a gear. So I moved to a bent-style bike. Another reason to keep using the “bent” is, on an upright bike, I automatically reach for the handlebars. My left elbow quickly began to ache; and I still need to avoid straining it. Therapy 🫱🏼 When I went to physical therapy this morning, I asked about the exercise bikes. They agree that the bent is better until my elbow is fully healed. My usual therapist was out today; but I was able to work with someone else. Now that I have access to the recreation center, I can get in an early “ride” on days when I have physical therapy. Other days I can go a little later; but I’d better use sunblock for the walk home! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Trainer

BACK ISSUES, equipment, Training /

Trainer 🏋️‍♀️ I sure could use my trainer now. Unfortunately, the rear wheel of my hybrid doesn’t fit into the trainer; and even if it did, I’m unable to do the necessary bike-lifting at present.  So my leg muscles are becoming mush. I need far more squats than I’ve been doing to keep my leg muscles properly toned; and it doesn’t help that I’ve still got low energy levels. I need to start working on flexibility exercises again, too. A personal trainer could probably do a lot to help me keep from getting too out of shape; but such services are beyond my budget. I must look for exercises that I can perform without stressing my injured elbow; and that don’t strain my ribs. Ribs ☠️ Ribs sound like barbecue to many of us; but cracked ribs are no fun. Mine seem to be recovering quickly; but how do I be sure they’re really OK? I don’t have a trainer to tell me. Must I ask the doctor to do an X-ray? If my ribs are all right, I can start lifting a small weight with my right hand. I don’t quite dare risk a right-sided crank plank; I might fall out of it and land on my left arm. That would be disastrous! I can’t do a grocery run by bicycle yet; so I ordered some stuff online.  But I’ll be glad when I can do it myself again. Not tomorrow, though; the forecast is a rainy one! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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This Is Hills?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

This Is Hills? 🚵🏽 “This is hills?” I can ask myself that today! I worked at riding in a hard gear for 90 seconds to two minutes at a time; and it certainly makes my muscles work harder! It lets me ride a little faster too, of course; but was I really working hard enough? What I did today didn’t tax my CV system much, though. I wasn’t working to push the cadence, as I do in force-development exercises. That really gets my heart rate up! So, this is hills? I noticed during RAGBRAI hills that my breathing usually seemed to be working harder than my legs. Maybe my CV system needs as much work as my quads! Wary Eye 👁️ I’ve got my usual wary eye on the tropics; and I hope that the system in the Atlantic doesn’t make its way into the Gulf We don’t need a hurricane! If we do get one that’s not bad enough to warrant evacuation, I have a good store of bottled water and canned food. Not salmon, though; I’m not crazy about salmon. The worst part about hunkering down for a storm is — you guessed it — missing my cycling. I love my miles; even when I don’t ask, “This is hills?” This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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